Roof top for motor vehicles

ABSTRACT

A roof top for motor vehicles which is adapted to be detachably secured to the lower vehicle body and which includes a lower rear cross frame that forms a relatively wide gap with the top side of the rear part of the vehicle body; this gap which terminates at its rear end in the atmosphere, forms part of a line system of a ventilation installation for the passenger space; a ventilating channel is branched off from this line system whose air flow fans the outer surface of the rear window.

United States Patent Giitz [451 June 20, 1972 [54] ROOF TOP FOR MOTORVEHICLES [72] Inventor: Hans Gdtz, Sindelfingen, Germany [73] Assignee:Daimler-Benz Aktiengesellschait [22] Filed: May 20, 1970 [21] Appl. No.:39,090

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data May 24, 1969 Germany ..P 19 26612.7

52 us. Cl. .Q ..98/2.i21

[51] Int. Cl ..B60h H24 [58] Field of Search ..98/2, 2.04, 2.08, 2.09,2.1, 98/2.l62.i9

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,173,893 9/1939 Wermich..98/2.l0

2,837,018 6/1958 Haltenberger ..98/2. 10 3,059,562 10/ l 962 Sturtevant...98/2. 1 8 3,286,617 11/1966 Shirk ...98/2.l8 3,406,622 10/ 1968 Gotz..98/2.04

Primary Examiner-Meyer Perlin Attorney-Craig, Antonelli & Hill ABSTRACTA roof top for motor vehicles which is adapted to be detachably securedto the lower vehicle body and which includes a lower rear cross framethat forms a relatively wide gap with the top side of the rear part ofthe vehicle body; this gap which terminates at its rear end in theatmosphere, forms part of a line system of a ventilation installationfor the passenger space; a ventilating channel is branched off from thisline system whose air flow fans the outer surface of the rear window.

20 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUNZO 1972 ATTORNEYS noor TOP ronMoron VEHICLES The present invention relates to a detachable roof topfor motor vehicles whose lower rear cross frame forms a relatively widegap channel with the surface of the vehicle body lower portion, whichgap channel terminates at its rear end in the atmosphere, and in which aventilation system provided at the lower cross frame and incommunication with the vehicle passenger space terminates in the gapchannel. The present invention essentially consists in that at least oneventilation channel is branched off from the communicating line systemformed by the ventilation installation and the gap channel, whose airflow ventilates the outer surface of the rear window of the vehicle top.It is achieved by the present invention that the outer surface of therear window is kept free of moisture and can be made snow-free andice-free in a simple manner.

If the arrangement is made in such a manner that one or severaldischarge apertures of the line system for the ventilation of the rearwindow outer surface are so arranged at the lower window edge or inproximity thereto that the discharged ventilation flow is directedtoward the upper window edge, one achieves a reinforcement of theventilation flow by the energy of the rotating air turbulence or vortexhaving an axis disposed transversely to the driving direction. This airvortex or eddy occurs within the area of the rear window luggage spacelid in vehicles with a step-like rear body shape. The air particles ofthis vortex or eddy flow in proximity of the rear window from the bottomto the top, i.e., in a generally upward direction. 1

In order to avoid that the air flow at the discharge apertures fortheventilation of the rear window outer surface is impaired by the watermasses carried off by the rear window pane, provision is made accordingto another feature of the present invention that the window mounting orframe is provided for each discharge aperture of the line system for theventilation of the rear window outer surface at least with one impact ordeflector surface arranged above the respective discharge aperture. Itis achieved thereby that the water running down along the rear windowjumps over the air discharge aperture.

According to another proposal, a roof top is provided whose lower rearcross frame includes an elongated hollow profile member extendingessentially in the vehicle longitudinal direction which serves as airchannel or duct of the ventilation installation, and in which the lowerleg portion of a decorative strip having an acute-angled L-shapedprofile is secured at the rear. bottom edge of the cross frame. In theapplication of the present invention to this type of roof topconstruction, the air guidance for the ventilation of the window outersurface may be so constructed that the top side of the cross frame isprovided with one or several discharge apertures for the ventilation ofthe rear window outer surface and a part of the upper leg portion of thedecorative strip projects at a distance above each discharge aperture,and in that the part of the upper leg portion projecting over adischarge aperture extends essentially parallel to the rear window andhas a free spacing also with respect to the adjacent frame or mountingof the rear window pane.

The discharge apertures of the ventilation installation are provided inthat surface of the rear lower cross frame with the hollow profile,which faces the vehicle body lower part. For the purpose of common waterremoval of the ventilation system, the discharge apertures of theventilation installation may be arranged at the lower part of the crossframe.

In one embodiment of the roof top according to the present invention,provision is made that a strip-shaped, inherently rigid shield for thesupport of the elastic window frame is secured on the top side of thecross frame, and in that the shield is provided with openings arrangedwithin the area of the upper discharge apertures of the cross bearer.This construction offers the advantage that the rubber mounting or frameof the rear window is protected by the shield against the ventilationflow and the shield simultaneously forms a wall of the ventilationchannel whose natural forces a ventilation flow essentially parallel tothe rear window.

A structurally simple arrangement of this type of construction isachieved in that the edge of the upper leg portion of the decorativestrip is constructed uninterruptedly flat essentially over the entirelength of the cross frame so that between the shield and the upper legportion, an uninterrupted continuous gap channel is formed, with whichthe upper discharge apertures of the cross frame for the ventilation ofthe rear window outersurface are in communication.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide adetachable roof top for motor vehicles which avoids by simple means theaforementioned shortcomings and drawbacks of the prior art.

Another object of the present invention resides in a roof top for motorvehicles which assures proper ventilation of the passenger space of thevehicle while at the same time keeping the rear window free frommoisture precipitation as well as ice or snow.

A further object of the present invention resides in a roof top formotor vehicles which achieves an efiective ventilation structurallysimple means.

Still another object of the present invention resides in a detachabletop for motor vehicles which is simple in construc tion yet provides aneffective discharge of any water that may accumulate.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become more obvious from the following description whentaken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows, forpurposes of illustration only, one embodiment of a roof top inaccordance with the present invention, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical partial longitudinal cross-sectional view throughthe rear lower cross frame of a coupe-type" roof top whereby theadjoining contours are shown in perspective view and the plane of crosssection passes through the inlet and discharge apertures of the airchannels; and

FIG. 2 is a partial longitudinal cross-sectional view, parallel to FIG.1, whose plane of cross section is located outside of the aforementionedair apertures of the cross frame.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals are usedthroughout the two views to designate like parts, reference numeral 10schematically indicates the vehicle body lower part of a conventionalmotor vehicle, on which is detachably arranged a roof top (coupe-top)generally designated by reference numeral 12. The lower edge of the rooftop 12 is formed by a hollow bearer generally designated by referencenumeral 13 which consists of two sheet metal profile elements 14 and 15connected with each other by welding at the places 11a and 11b. Thehollow bearer 13 carries the rear window pane 16 of the roof top whoselower edge, embedded in an elastic window mounting or frame 17, issupported on the hollow bearer 13. The outer edge 13a (FIG. 2) of thehollow bearer 13 projecting rearwardly beyond the window frame 17 iscovered by a decorative strip generally designated by reference numeral18 formed into an L-shaped profile with acute angle in cross section,whose lower leg portion 18b is secured to the bottom side of the edge13a of the hollow bearer 13.

The hollow bearer l3 follows in its general configuration, on the onehand, the window pane l6 and, on the other, the curvature of the upperclosure wall 10a of the vehicle body lower part 10, and moreparticularly in such a manner that a relatively wide gap channel 19leading outwardly into the atmosphere remains open between the lowersheet metal profile member 14 of the hollow bearer 13, at the lowestplace thereof, and the closure wall 10a.

In the direction toward the interior space 30 of the vehicle, the gapchannel 19 is closed off in an air-tight manner by an elastic sealingstrip 31, not visible from the outside and substantially also not fromthe inside, which is adhesively secured at the bottom side of a bend 26of the lower sheet metal profile member 14.

For the purpose of ventilating the vehicle interior space 30, the uppersheet metal profile member 15 of the hollow bearer 13 is provided withelongated air inlet apertures 22 extending in the vehicle transversedirection. The apertures 22 are covered partially and at a distance by asheet metal guide plate 24a which is detachably secured at the uppersheet metal profile member 15, for example, snap-fastened or buttoned at24b and which is covered with a sound-proofing cover 24c in such amanner that the air stream or air flow is deflected ap proximately by180 within the area between the discharge out of the vehicle interiorspace 30 and the inlet into the interior space 13b of the hollow bearerl3 and a sound-proofing is achieved in this manner. For purposes ofincreasing the lastmentioned effect, the upper sheet metal profilemember 15 is also covered with a sound-proofing cover 15a within thearea of the apertures 22 whereas for the same purpose a soundproofinginsert 27 is provided between the sheet metal guide plate 24a and theupper sheet metal profile member 15.

According to the present invention, a ventilation stream (indicated inFIG. 1 by arrows 32) is branched ofi from the air channel or duct system13b, 19 which keeps the outer surface 16a of the rear window pane 16free from moisture precipitation as well as from ice and snow. For thispurpose, elongated air apertures 33 are provided in the outer part 15b(FIG. 2) of the upper sheet metal profile member 15, i.e., outer withrespect to the vehicle passenger space 30, which also extendtransversely to the vehicle longitudinal direction. The air apertures 33are covered by the upper leg portion 180 of the decorative strip 18 at adistance therefrom, whereby the edge 180 of the upper leg portion 18a isconstructed essentially flat and is directed parallel to the rear window16. An uninterrupted, continuous gap channel 34 is left free between theedge 18c and the window mounting 17, through which the ventilatingstream 32, starting from the lower edge of the rear window 16 isdirected toward the upper edge of the latter.

The outer leg portion 43 of the window frame 17 which is essentiallyU-shaped in cross section, is provided at its free end with a concaveimpact or deflection surface 35 extending uninterruptedly over theentire length of the window frame 17, by means of which water guidedalong the rear window 16 is forced to jump over the discharge aperture36 of the ventilation channel 34.

Further apertures 38 are arranged in the lower sheet metal profilemember 14 at the lowest place 37 of the hollow space 13b which serve asair outlet for the ventilation system (air inlet apertures 22, hollowspace 13b) as also for the removal of water from the ventilation channel34 and the ventilation system 22, 13b.

For the support of the window frame 17, a shield member 39 is secured onthe upper side of the upper sheet metal profile member 15 whose portion40abutting at the leg portion 43 of the frame 17 has a free spacing 41with respect to the edge 180 of the decorative strip 18, that determinesthe width of the gap channel 34. The shield member 39 is provided withopenings or apertures 42 which are arranged within the area of thedischarge apertures 33 of the upper sheet metal profile member 15 andwhich permit without impairment the air flow out of the hollow space1312 into the ventilating channel 34.

While I have shown and described only one embodiment in accordance withthe present invention, it is understood that the same is not limitedthereto but is susceptible of numerous changes and modifications asknown to those skilled in the art, and I therefore do not wish to belimited to the details shown and described herein but intend to coverall such changes and modifications as are encompassed by the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim:

1. A roof top for motor vehicles having a vehicle body characterized inthat the roof top includes a lower rear cross frame means forming arelatively wide channel gap with the surface of the lower part of thevehicle body, said channel gap terminating at its rear end in theatmosphere, ventilation means in communication with the vehiclepassenger space and terminating in said channel gap, said ventilationmeans and gap channel forming an air-conducting line system, and

further means in communication with said line system for supplying airto the outer surface of the rear window, the lower rear cross framemeans including an elongated hollow profile member extending in thevehicle longitudinal direction which serves as air channel of theventilation means and a decorative strip means with a substantiallyL-shaped acute-angled profile, the lower leg portion of said decorativestrip means being secured at the rear bottom edge of the cross framemeans.

2. A roof top according to claim 1, characterized in that said furthermeans includes at least one ventilating channel branched ofi from saidline system, whose air flow ventilates the outer surface of the rearwindow.

3. A roof top according to claim 2, characterized in that at least onedischarge aperture means for the ventilation of the rear window outersurface is so arranged that the associated ventilating flow is directedtoward the upper window edge.

4. A roof top according to claim 3, characterized in that severaldischarge aperture means are provided.

5. A roof top according to claim 4, characterized in that said dischargeaperture means are arranged at the lower edge of the rear window.

6. A rooftop according to claim 4, characterized in that said dischargeaperture means are arranged in proximity to the lower window edge.

7. A roof top with a window mounting means according to claim 4,characterized in that the mounting means is provided for each dischargeaperture means with at least one deflection surface arranged above thecorresponding discharge aperture means.

8. A roof top according to claim 7, characterized in that the top sideof the cross frame means is provided with at least one dischargeaperture means for the ventilation of the rear window outer surface, inthat the upper leg portion of the decorative strip means projects at adistance above each of said lastmentioned discharge aperture means, andin that the portion of the upper leg portion projecting above arespective discharge aperture means extends approximately parallel tothe rear window and has a free spacing with respect to the adjacentmounting means.

9. A roof top according to claim 8, characterized in that furtherdischarge aperture means of the ventilation means are provided in thesurface of the rear lower cross frame means which faces the vehicle bodylower part.

10. A roof top according to claim 9, characterized in that the furtherdischarge aperture means of the ventilation means are arranged at thelowest place of the hollow space in the cross frame means.

1 l. A roof top according to claim 10, characterized in that astrip-shaped inherently rigid shield means for the support of theelastic window mounting means is secured on the top side of the crossframe means, and in that the shield means is provided with openingswithin the area of the upper discharge aperture means of the cross framemeans.

12. A roof top according to claim 11, characterized in that the edge ofthe upper leg portion of the decorative strip means is constructedsubstantially flat and extends uninterruptedly essentially over theentire length of the cross frame means so that a continuous gap channelis formed between the shield means and the upper leg portion of thedecorative strip means, the upper discharge aperture means of the crossframe means for the ventilation of the rear window outer surface beingin communication with said last-mentioned gap channel.

13. A roof top according to claim 1, characterized in that at least onedischarge aperture means for the ventilation of the rear window outersurface is so arranged that the associated ventilating flow is directedtoward the upper window edge.

14. A roof top according to claim 13, characterized in that saiddischarge aperture means are arranged in proximity to the lower windowedge.

15. A roof top with a window mounting means according to claim 13,characterized in that the mounting means is provided for each dischargeaperture means with at least one deflection surface arranged above thecorresponding discharge aperture means.

16. A rooftop according to claim 15, characterized in that astrip-shaped inherently rigid shieldmeans for the support of the elasticwindow mounting means is secured on the top side of the cross framemeans, and in that the shield means is provided with openings within thearea of the upper discharge aperture means of the cross frame means.

17. A roof top according to claim 1, characterized in that the top sideof the cross frame means is provided with at least one dischargeaperture means for the ventilation of the rear window outer surface, inthat the upper leg portion of the decorative strip means projects at adistance above each of said last-mentioned discharge aperture means, andin that the portion of the upper leg portion projecting above arespective discharge aperture means extends approximately parallel tothe rear window and hasa free spacing with respect to the adjacentmounting means.

18. A roof top according to claim 1, characterized in that furtherdischarge aperture means of the ventilation means are provided in thesurface of the rear lower cross frame means which faces the vehicle bodylower part.

19. A roof top according to claim 18, characterized in that the furtherdischarge aperture means of the ventilation means are arranged at thelowest place of the hollow space in the cross frame means.

20. A roof top according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge ofthe upper leg portion of the decorative strip means is constructedsubstantially flat and extends uninterruptedly essentially over theentire length of the cross frame means so that a continuous gap channelis formed between the shield means and the upper leg portion of thedecorative strip means, the upper discharge aperture means of the crossframe means for the ventilation of the rear window outer surface beingin communication with said last-mentioned gap channel.

l l F i

1. A roof top for motor vehicles having a vehicle body characterized inthat the roof top includes a lower rear cross frame means forming arelatively wide channel gap with the surface of the lower part of thevehicle body, said channel gap terminating at its rear end in theatmosphere, ventilation means in communication with the vehiclepassenger space and terminating in said channel gap, said ventilationmeans and gap channel forming an air-conducting line system, and furthermeans in communication with said line system for supplying air to theouter surface of the rear window, the lower rear cross frame meansincluding an elongated hollow profile member extending in the vehiclelongitudinal direction which serves as air channel of the ventilationmeans and a decorative strip means with a substantially L-shapedacute-angled profile, the lower leg portion of said decorative stripmeans being secured at the rear bottom edge of the cross frame means. 2.A roof top according to claim 1, characterized in that said furthermeans includes at least one ventilating channel branched off from saidline system, whose air flow ventilates the outer surface of the rearwindow.
 3. A roof top according to claim 2, characterized in that atleast one discharge aperture means for the ventilation of the rearwindow outer surface is so arranged that the associated ventilating flowis directed toward the upper window edge.
 4. A roof top according toclaim 3, characterized in that several discharge aperture means areprovided.
 5. A roof top according to claim 4, characterized in that saiddischarge aperture means are arranged at the lower edge of the rearwindow.
 6. A roof top according to claim 4, characterized in that saiddischarge aperture means are arranged in proximity to the lower windowedge.
 7. A roof top with a window mounting means according to claim 4,characterized in that the mounting means is provided for each dischargeaperture means with at least one deflection surface arranged above thecorresponding discharge aperture means.
 8. A roof top according to claim7, characterized in that the top side of the cross frame means isprovided with at least one discharge aperture means for the ventilationof the rear window outer surface, in that the upper leg portion of thedecorative strip means projects at a distance above each of saidlast-mentioned discharge aperture means, and in that the portion of theupper leg portion projecting above a respective discharge aperture meansextends approximately parallel to the rear window and has a free spacingwith respect to the adjacent mounting means.
 9. A roof top according toclaim 8, characterized in that further discharge aperture means of theventilation means are provided in the surface of the rear lower crossframe means which faces the vehicle body lower part.
 10. A roof topaccording to claim 9, characterized in that the further dischargeaperture means of the ventilation means are arranged at the lowest placeof the hollow space in the cross frame means.
 11. A roof top accordingto claim 10, characterized in that a strip-shaped inherently rigidshield means for the support of the elastic window mounting means issecured on the top side of the cross frame means, and in that the shieldmeans is provided with openings within the area of the upper dischargeaperture means of the cross frame means.
 12. A roof top according toclaim 11, characterized in that the edge of the upper leg portion of thedecorative strip means is constructed substantially flat and extendsuninterruptedly essentially over the entire length of the cross framemeans so that a continuous gap channel is formed between the shieldmeans and the upper leg portion of the decorative strip means, the upperdischarge aperture means of the cross frame means for the ventilation ofthe rear window outer surface being in communication with saidlast-mentioned gap channel.
 13. A roof top according to claim 1,characterized in that at least one discharge aperture means for theventilation of the rear window outer surface is so arranged that theassociated ventilating flow is directed toward the upper window edge.14. A roof top according to claim 13, characterized in that saiddischarge aperture means are arranged in proximity to the lower windowedge.
 15. A roof top with a window mounting means according to claim 13,characterized in that the mounting means is provided for each dischargeaperture means with at least one deflection surface arranged above thecorresponding discharge aperture means.
 16. A roof top according toclaim 15, characterized in that a strip-shaped inherently rigid shieldmeans for the support of the elastic window mounting means is secured onthe top side of the cross frame means, and in that the shield means isprovided with openings within the area of the upper discharge aperturemeans of the cross frame means.
 17. A roof top according to claim 1,characterized in that the top side of the cross frame means is providedwith at least one discharge aperture means for the ventilation of therear window outer surface, in that the upper leg portion of thedecorative strip means projects at a distance above each of saidlast-mentioned discharge aperture means, and in that the portion of theupper leg portion projecting above a respective discharge aperture meansextends approximately parallel to the rear window and has a free spacingwith respect to the adjacent mounting means.
 18. A roof top according toclaim 1, characterized in that further discharge aperture means of theventilation means are provided in the surface of the rear lower crossframe means which faces the vehicle body lower part.
 19. A roof topaccording to claim 18, characterized in that the further dischargeaperture means of the ventilation means are arranged at the lowest placeof the hollow space in the cross frame means.
 20. A roof top accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the edge of the upper leg portion ofthe decorative strip means is constructed substantially flat and extendsuninterruptedly essentially over the entire length of the cross framemeans so that a continuous gap channel is formed between the shieldmeans and the upper leg portion of the decorative strip means, the upperdischarge aperture means of the cross frame means for the ventilation ofthe rear window outer surface being in communication with saidlast-mentioned gap channel.